3 takeaways from the Houston Rockets' preseason

3 takeaways from the Houston Rockets' preseason

The Rockets had a really impressive preseason, finishing 4-1 and displaying impressive chemistry for a team that featured so many new pieces. Chris Paul, Luc Mbah a Moute and P.J. Tucker are significant additions who should all be in line for heavy minutes this season, so getting them acclimated was Houston’s priority this preseason.

During the exhibition contests, we got the chance to learn quite a bit about this new-look Rockets team and how they’ll go about attacking teams in the regular season.

Initially, all eyes were obviously on Chris Paul since he was the franchise’s splashy acquisition this summer. However, he wound up playing just a game-and-a-half of preseason action. But that was really all we had to see from him to know what type of an impact he’ll make on this team. In addition to setting teammates up left and right for open looks, Paul also found ways to take advantage of defenders who expect him to solely facilitate. If defenders expect him to sit back and pass, he’ll flip a switch and start aggressively looking for his own shot.

Ever since Paul joined the Rockets, the basketball world wondered how Paul and Harden would co-exist. Well, we got some glimpses in the preseason. Offensively, they created a dynamic duo in which each guy could shoot or pass with the best of them and created a match-up problem on over half of their possessions together. Defensively, Paul is a pest against opposing ball-handlers and because he has such an amazing basketball IQ, he masks Harden’s defensive deficiencies just fine.

It’s also clear that Mike D’Antoni plans to play the guards separately at times. If the preseason rotations continue, it seems Paul and Harden will start together and then Paul will be replaced by Eric Gordon midway through the first quarter. A few minutes into the second quarter, Paul will come back into the game alongside Gordon, giving Harden a breather. Then, at the end of the first half, Paul and Harden would once again share the backcourt.

Speaking of rotations, can we talk about how well the wings have played? Trevor Ariza, P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute put on a clinic for defensive switching. Given how versatile and long-bodied each player is, they’re capable of guarding at least three or four positions each and can really dominate the game on the defensive end. Tucker’s big body was enough to completely shut down players both inside and outside of the paint. At one point, Tucker even played small-ball five and Mbah a Moute was subbed in at point guard a couple times. These guys are incredibly versatile and really talented on the defensive end. Also, they all have coveted playoff experience, which is huge. The Rockets did a terrific job assembling this three-headed defensive monster, as they’ll need all of the perimeter defenders they can get when they’re matched up against teams like the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder.

On another note, watching Clint Capela’s development has been fun. When he was younger, he often looked like a deer in headlights; now, he looks poised for a breakout year if he can keep up his impressive progression. Capela wound up running circles around Marc Gasol in the preseason game against Memphis and, while nobody is doubting Gasol’s skills, Capela rebounded the ball better and dunked all over Memphis’ frontcourt time and time again. Capela is hoping to play around 30 minutes this season. If he can, watch out. This guy could be the piece that puts Houston over the edge.

Finally, it’s impossible not to get excited about the Rockets’ pace and three-point shooting. Houston hit 20 three-pointers in eachof their first three games. Everybody seemed to be red hot and don’t expect them to stop shooting anytime soon. They have the personnel to keep four-to-five guys out on the perimeter on every possession, a green light from D’Anoni, and two of the league’s best facilitators setting them up. Expect the three-pointers to keep coming.

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Houston may come back down to Earth a bit when it comes to their shooting percentages, but they’ll keep firing. And, as they showed at the end of the preseason, they can still find ways to be effective and get the victory when their shot isn’t falling. The Rockets can win in other ways, but it’s important for them to play their game and force their opponents to play their game.

If this preseason taught us anything, it’s that these Rockets are for real and are full of veteran talent from top to bottom. If you need a finessing bruiser off the bench? Nene is waiting with that Father Time beard. If you’re looking for an athletic monster to catch a couple lobs, you have Clint Capela and his bench counterpart Tarik Black. The threes will keep raining as long as Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson and Trevor Ariza are there. The defense starts but certainly doesn’t end with Luc Mbah a Moute and P.J. Tucker. And with James Harden and Chris Paul, Houston is in tremendous hands.

Rockets fans, this could be your season.

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